Hello Friends,
Would someone know of a reputable builder / supplier of aluminium radiators for a Mark V & a Mark IV in Australia?
I’m a bit fed up with overheating on ‘hotish’ days. Would fitting a fan with a thermal on / off switch be sensible or necessary with an aluminium radiator?
Cheers,
Tim
I must admit my Mk IV doesn’t over heat on a hot Australian summer day . It depends what the cause of your problem is.
MK IV s are prone to overheating if running lean, If the thermostat doesn’t work as it should , and that incudes various "improvement’well intentioned owners have made. Likewise if the wtaer ways in the block , head and radiator are blocked through over half a century of muck. Any of these issues will make an alloy radiator a matter of just treating symptoms . Likewise an electric fan , Remember the fan motor itself blocks off a certain amount of air flow to the core
I have seen a pic of a Mk IV with an alloy radiator . And I made an alloy radiator for the SS , but the was for weight / cost/ and because the super Charged engine puts out mote heat. I had mine done at Rac radiators in Dandenong. Remember , you will need to machine up an alloy filler neck and have an alloy bottom hose casting made ,Tis casting is more than what is visible from the outside and has part of it inside the bottom tank., WE have had new ones cast in bronze and I suppose they could also be cat in aluminium
Hi Ed,
Thanks for this information. Perhaps we can talk at a Jag Club meeting in Melbourne or a HRCC meeting?
Do you have a preferred flushing agent to move the half a century of “muck”? I drained the radiator and block, then ran a hose through the filler neck as per the Service Manual until the fluid ran clear. That did take a while but some kind of flushing agent which is not too strong, I’m guessing, might help too? The car runs up to 70C when warming up at idling speed and sits there until I drive it, then up she goes to 100C. I think I’ll replace the thermostat just to tick that off the list.
The car is new to me and has been sitting for quite a while. I suppose I could pull the radiator out and take it to a reputable radiator specialist for testing and cleaning but that’s a big job. The car needs a good run but not while it’s overheating. I’ve changed all the fluids in the car and greased all components, nipping up nuts, bolts and screws while up on the hoist. No leaks of water or oil were evident.
Best wishes,
Tim
Timothy Fox
Timothy2963@gmail.com
Hi Tim,
Ed will no doubt sort you out and one rather important thing he has information on is the use of modern thermostats in the original casting. If you are not using the original internals then the casting needs modified to arrange for the bypass connection to be shut off when the thermostat opens.
Peter
Thank you very much, Peter.
By the way, your Youtube video “1947 Jaguar Country Run” is wonderful. What a splendid MKIV it is too!
Tim
Thanks Tim. That MkIV belonged to a friend but he no longer has it but has another that is currently in “project” status. Possibly a bit too long but here’s another in my SS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ji8SYnUXM&t=1s
Peter
If the car sits at 70 C when idling and only overheats when driving then I would also check ignition timing and for lean fuel. Distributor advance can be correct at idle and then not advance on correct curve with engine speed. Engine could have proper fuel mixture at idle and go lean with increased engine rpm.
Tim
I will hopefully be at the JCCV concours. bunfight on Sunday. I’ll be easy to find, I’ll be in a Jaguar .
Can’t see myself dragging the weary body to Ballarat on Sat though for HRCC
Yes, Ed, I agree about Ballarat. Having school sport for the children rules me out. I’ll be a marshal (look for the portly red-head) for the SS MKIV & V Register on Sunday from 8.00am till 9.00am so I’ll make sure you park in E-Type Section - LOL!
I’ve yet to bring the Mark V from Tasmania until I can sort out the overheating. I think a good clean with a good flushing / de-scaling solution is a good start (I found this Australian product http://liquidintelligence.com.au http://liquidintelligence.com.au/ ) will be a good start as well as some decent coolant; then checking the mixture on the carburettors; then the timing; followed by some de-sludging solution for the oil and a change; then a good long, gentle run as it’s been in storage for quite a few years.
Once I get the Mark V sorted I’ll be on the hunt for an uncomplicated 3.5L 'MK IV’, if such a beast exists! I can then straddle the Mark IV / Mark V divide!
All the best,
Tim
Timothy Fox
Timothy2963@gmail.com